Internet Endeavors Take Time to Prosper

August 07, 2011

The advisers at the Small Business Development Center meet with many existing and potential small-business owners who are unsure how to market their small businesses.We have noticed the increasing importance of building any business by using the Internet.

Business Tips Article
Paul HowardASU-SBDC Business Development Specialist

SAN ANGELO, Texas — The advisers at the Small Business Development Center meet with many existing and potential small-business owners who are unsure how to market their small businesses.

We have noticed the increasing importance of building any business by using the Internet.

However, do not expect sales to rise overnight.

It takes time and patience to develop a successful small business online.

Many businesses do well selling their products online, but it takes effort.

Your approach needs to be one of diligence and the expectation that your progress will be gradual.

The businesses that are found online were built over time, and it was that investment of time that gave them their success.

If you think it is time for your small business to have an online presence, you must have realistic expectations.

Once your business is on the Internet, it does not ensure instant increases in revenue.

Thinking that you can now sit back and watch the money roll in will only disappoint you and set you up for failure.

With disappointment comes disillusionment, which eventually leads to a loss of enthusiasm and simply giving up.

Your ability to plan properly and effectively put in place growth strategies could be hindered.

Determine the amount of time you want to spend promoting your small business online.

You may feel the need to burn the midnight oil, but don’t make a habit of it.

It will affect your productivity over time.

It is best to maintain a consistent work schedule that allows for personal time as well.

Think of yourself as a battery and if you are not charged properly you can burn out.

This is not to say go slow but to remind you that your progress may be slower than you want it to be. Set daily goals and objectives that are challenging but not impossible.

Plan for what you can accomplish with a quality effort. Get the job done right the first time.

Remember those successful online businesses are the result of much time and effort put into patiently building their foundations.

If you are willing to invest the same while maintaining realistic goals and expectations there is no reason your small business cannot be successful on the Internet.

Many small-business owners begin with the expectations they can literally slap up a website and it will magically transform the business into a moneymaking business in a short time.

That could set you up for sending you business offline.

The greatest difficulty many small-business owners encounter when developing an online presence is lack of patience.

In track terms, think of the process as a marathon instead of a sprint.

“Business Tips” was written by Paul Howard, business development specialist and certified business adviser IV of Angelo State University’s Small Business Development Center. Contact him at Paul.Howard@angelo.edu.